Screen printing production time estimation (below)

Fourth, calculate the printing time

Using the same schedule as the setup/interruption record sheet to count the printing time will undoubtedly be unique to your workshop. Printing time is the time from the first good print to the dry conveyor to the inspector saying that the job is completed. As with the calculation of setting/interruption time, the printing time also includes the time spent on coffee, the time of revision, or the time to go to the warehouse to pick up raw materials and blank T-shirts.

Table 6: Printing Time Data Sheet
1 color 2 color 3 color 4 color 5 color 6 color
Pcs Time Pcs Time pcs Time Pcs Time Pcs Time Pcs Time

Use this chart to record the number of prints per color type and the total time required for printing. Record at least 10 jobs repeatedly. It does not include set-up and interruption times, but includes all times from the first good print to the dry conveyor to the inspector saying that the job was completed. To sum the time and number of prints per column, use the total time divided by the total number of pieces to get the average time for each garment print in different color types.

Figure 6 shows a sample table that records the actual printing time. Since setup and interrupt data are fixed for all types of print jobs, all setup and interrupt data can be recorded in one table, but the print time is different for different jobs, so it must be for each special Job additional print schedule. That is, a table is attached to the wet-press type, and an additional table is added for the unconventional printing. In addition, you have to attach a table for the number of records for each job.

With the same method as the calculation set/interruption time average, the data of the printing time column is totaled. However, instead of calculating the average value, this time, the total number of pieces and the total number of printing times are calculated. Then the total time (minutes) is divided by the total number of pieces to obtain the printing time for a piece of clothing.

Here's an example: Take 5 colors wet-wet printing as an example. Suppose 10 items share 412 minutes for production. The total number of pieces produced in 412 minutes is 2575 pieces. Dividing 412 minutes into 2575 pieces results in an automatic 5-color garment printing printing.

The time required for a piece of clothing:

412 minutes ÷2575 pieces = 0.16 minutes

Let us now apply these data to reality, that is, to estimate the production time of 5-color printing. First, set up an automated print production schedule similar to Table 2, adding a 0.16 minute to the timeline 5-color type column; then calculate the print time for 500 garments, multiplying 500 by 0.16 minutes per piece (clothing):
500 pieces x 0.16 minutes/piece (clothing) = 80 minutes (total printing time)
The total production time is obtained with 80 minutes plus the previously calculated 5-color printing (automatic) setting/interruption time data.

V. Setting up your own timetable

Through the above introduction, you can set up your own timetable. When you work, you can only do it according to your own schedule. In addition, when setting up a timetable, we have to leave a bit of free space to meet the printing needs of our sudden arrival customers. The full schedule of time can make you into trouble, such as sudden delivery of an emergency or malfunction of the machine. If things develop in line with your schedule, you may wish to schedule the next week ahead of time, so that you have time to deal with special circumstances. I usually arrange 80% of the work in the achievable 100% of the time, so there is 20% free time to handle special situations.

The ability to estimate production time gives each of us a piece of information about how we plan, arrange, price and receive orders. Estimated production time based on past actual shop floor data reduces the danger of relying solely on assumptions. Everyone knows that the out-of-the-box time is estimated to be impractical and not to be fortunate enough not to have problems every time. If you establish a regular schedule, you can have a clear understanding of the production process and employee productivity, which is much better than the assumptions and imagination. This is true real production.

About the author: Terry Combs is an experienced screen printer and has worked in many companies for over 20 years. He has written a large number of management and technical articles for the industrial and commercial publishing industry.

Source: Print Expo